List of Docs for Deferred Action

Deferred Action has begun! And with it comes a huge checklist needed for applying. Below we have provided that checklist in Spanish and in English.

Tampa Students Working for Equal Rights is currently assisting United We Dream Tampa Bay in their Free Deferred Action Clinic – happening Saturday, August 25th. We will be learning how to help with the application process and soon holding our own clinic. If you are interested in helping or would like to apply go here:

Click the image for the link to apply.

The following are the checklists in Spanish and in English for documents needed when filing for Deferred Action. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at swer.usf@gmail.com

Amended List in Spanish for DACA

Download these forms here: Amended list of docs for DACA

Deferred Action : Free-Clinics

Obama’s Executive Order for Deferred Action has resulted in plenty of opportunism from lawyers and the like. We have been hearing of terrible scams such as this one:
“Pay $6,000 and your name could be one of just a few on a priority list…”
But Deferred Action does not have a VIP list and no one should be paying that amount of money to fill-out an application.

Advise courtesy of United We Dream.

The following are legitimate locations where FREE clinics will be offered to those needing assistance in filling out a Deferred Action application.

You may also contact us for questions at: swer.usf@gmail.com (for Sol) 813.382.8158

United We Dream : Attend A Forum!

Thank you to United We Dream for allowing us to advertise for their clinics.
Please note, Tampa S.W.E.R. is working on having our very own Clinic for Deferred Action.
We will keep you posted!

Administrative Relief Updates.

We have a few updates on Administrative Relief. Many S.W.E.R. chapters will be having info sessions on what to do next. Please stay updated, we will be posting your nearest city’s S.W.E.R. and any allies who are working to properly inform you:

The Homeland Security Department plans, marked “not for distribution,” describe steps that immigrants will need to take :

— A $465 paperwork fee — and how the government will manage the program. Illegal immigrants can request permission to stay in the country under the plan by filing a document, “Request for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals,” and simultaneously apply for a work permit starting Aug. 15.

–The internal government plans obtained by the AP provide the first estimates of costs, how many immigrants were expected to participate and how long it might take for them. It was not immediately clear whether or under which circumstances any immigrants would not be required to pay the $465 paperwork fee. The plans said there would be no waivers, but Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told Congress last week that the government would grant waivers “in very deserving cases.” She said details were still being worked out.

–Once immigrants submit their applications, it could take between two and 10 days for the Homeland Security Department to scan and file it. It could take up to four weeks longer to make an appointment for immigrants to submit their fingerprints and take photographs. A subsequent background check could take six more weeks, then three more months for the government to make its final decision before a work permit would be issued.
Napolitano said new information about the program should be made available by Aug. 1. She has said immigrants would generally not be detained by immigration authorities while their application is pending.

Tastes like administrative relief!

“Over the next few months, eligible individuals who do not present a risk to national security or public safety will be able to request temporary relief from deportation proceedings and apply for work authorization.”-Obama

June 15th Celebration

June 15th will mark our lives as a beginning of many changes to come, of many more victories and one step closer to a life of complete freedom. This is not the end, we will continue to fight for a path to citizenship, not only for DREAMers, but their families and our communities.

So what were you doing when it happened? where were you?

Did you miss it? Watch it here:

President Obama Speaks on Department of Homeland Security Immigration Announcement

“I was on a conference call at work when my boss sent me an email with the link saying “YESSSS!”

I didn’t get it. I just couldn’t believe it.

I hung up the phone, walked out of the building, called my husband and started crying. The happiest day of my life!” -Paola Everett

“I was typing up an essay I found out about the deferred action until 12:30 pm lol”  -Juan Sebastian Soto-Avella

“I was at work and I got a message from Sol Márquez telling me about the news then I kept seeing updates on facebook and all the news. It was all too exciting and I kept up with it throughout the day :)” -Cindy Lizette Ibarra

“I was sleeping when Mayra Hidalgo Salazar woke me up screaming about the news. We were both at a conference throughout the entire day and it was such a great expereience getting to share such great news with Mayra, Diego Sol and Carlos and everyone else at the conference, they were all so supportive and happy for us :)” -Jacky M. Cruz

“Sleeping haha”  -Diego Guerra

“I was at work and I got a text from Sol Márquez Then I checked FB saw some updates…but I call everyone but no one answer till I got a hold of Sol who told me that Mayra Hidalgo Salazar couldn’t stop crying ..so I started crying cause if Mayra couldn’t stop crying..it was real & then I spoke to Pao, Nancy, Arturo, Irma & the list continues… & my phone didn’t stop ring from that point on” -Pamela Gomez Ferreras

“I was at work and on my lunch break I turned my phone on and found a text from Jacky asking if “I have heard the news”. Puzzled, i texted her “What News?” Right after I sent that text my phone started blowing up with emails, texts, voicemails, etc. My mood instantly went from -__- to :)))))))) lol”  -Jassiel Perez

“I was on a phone call until 2 AM the night before to see if it was actually happening then I woke up at 9 AM with a call from Heather Cronk, managing director of Get Equal and she confirmed it. I couldn’t believe so I called Isabel Sousa-Rodriguez and he didn’t asnwer as usual so I called Mayra Hidalgo Salazar and she was crying. Then my phone went off the hook… 😀 Then I took Mayra Hidalgo Salazar out to the club on Saturday and she screamed as loud as she could in the middle of Ybor. I’m getting papers!!! LOL” -Felipe Sousa-Rodriguez

“I was on a bus heading to Miami. Gaby Pacheco nearly gave me a heart attack.” -Isabel Sousa-Rodriguez

“I woke up to a steering committee text saying that I needed to check my email ASAP. I checked it but couldn’t believe it. I was confused, in shock, I didn’t know how to react. I got up ran to my mom to try to explain it to her, but I didn’t even know how to explain it. I then received a call from Jose Manuel godinez Samperio and he told me the good news. I ran to my mom screaming and crying, in between all that I managed to explained to her the good news. All I can remember is me telling her, “that means me mom! That means me!” she hugged me and we cried together. She told me, “you see, hard work always pays off.” then after that my phone blew up with emails, texts an calls 🙂 happiest day in the history!!!!”  -Nanci Palacios

USF-SWER members react to immigration policy change

In the Summer Time!

¡Hola Comunidad Hermosa de Tampa!
Hello Beautiful Tampa Community!

Summer Break is here for many of us S.W.E.R. members and while our chapter is lying a bit dormant, we wanted to still let everyone know about important events that are happening! These events are happening right in your own backyard, so please mark them in your calendars. We will keep updating this as we learn of more events, so please continue checking in!

1. Coalition to March on the RNC‘s Organizer’s Conference – Saturday, June 16th
   

   March On The RNC

   If you’re living in Tampa this summer, you have most certainly heard about the Republican National Convention coming to Tampa this August 27th-30th. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us, Tampanians!
   What does the RNC represent? It represents an opportunity for all of the people to come and work together…all on the same day to oppose the political agenda of the 1%–not just the Republicans! June 16th, go to the Organizer’s Conference of the Coalition to March on the RNC & work + meet great people who are actively working towards the March on the RNC on August 27th! In the Coalition’s own words: “No to the Republicans! We demand good jobs, healthcare, affordable education, equality and peace!”

   Click HERE for the Coalition’s facebook page.
   HERE for the official website.
   And HERE for the conference facebook event page.

2. United We Dream : Tampa– June 13th Day of Action
   

   United We Dream : Tampa

   June 18th the Supreme Court will more than likely be ruling in the case: Arizon VS Supreme Court. This is a case in direct response to Arizona’s SB 1070. As strong members of Students Working for Equal Rights, we fully support this event! RSVP HERE to the facebook event!

   Where: Obama for America office – 1771 E 9th Avenue
   Tampa, FL 33605
   When: June 13th, 2012

   Record high deportations, anti-immigrant laws, secure communities, and thousands of people still living in the shadows. That’s all we have received from the Obama administration. Enough is enough. Through the Right to Dream Campaign we seek to gain relief for ourselves and our communities.

   Join United We Dream: Tampa Bay as we declare our rights and demand that President Obama grant us Administrative Relief because HE CAN!!
   Read here –> http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/04/opinion/a-start-on-the-dream-act.html?_r=3&ref=opinion

   Declaration of Dreams:
   •The Right to live our lives without fear
   •The Right to live with our families
   •The Right to live with our loved ones.
   •The Right to move freely
   •The Right to education
   •The Right to give back to our communities
   •The Right to build a strong sustainable economy
   •The Right to fulfill our Dreams

   more info and videos –> http://unitedwedream.org/right-to-dream/

   Video from May 17th actions throught the country :
   WATCH NOW —-> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcUlUU0mnMY

Like MLK, We Have A Dream

April 4th, 2012 marked the 66th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s assassination. We could not think of a more appropriate time to hold a rally and join forces with groups from Tampa, Florida to protest the injustices of Oppressed Nationalities in America.

Tampa Students Working for Equal Rights , Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) came together and produced this amazing video made by our very own Paola and her husband Joe. We want to thank everyone who made this video possible and hope you spread the word of and or join our efforts!

The Right to Self-Determination!

By Curt Anderson and Mike Schneider, Associated Press / March 27, 2012

The tragic murder of 17 year-old Trayvon Martin is a horrific reminder of racial profiling and how it is still very much alive.

Who is imprisoned more than others? Who is the poorest in our country? Who is deported more than any other race combined? Who is murdered, harassed, beaten and racially profiled more than others? Minorities! African Americans, Mexican-Americans, Latin Americans, Native-Americans, and the list goes on and on!

Undocumented youth protest in Atlanta, Georgia on April 5, 2011(Immigrant Youth Justice League: http://www.iyjl.org)

April 4th is a National Day of Action against racism in our country. Against the injustices we minorities have endured throughout the creation of this thriving and extremely powerful country of ours and the injustices we KEEP enduring. Tampa Students Working for Equal Rights at this time would like for you to keep in mind the lives touched by the terrifying assassination of Trayvon Martin, by the corrupt case of The Jena Six, the Chicago 6, the 8 Undocumented Students who protested against Georgia State’s racism, Daniela Pelaez and so many others.

Your local S.W.E.R. chapter acknowledges we must take these issues into our hands, that we must lead ourselves and fight against these direct injustices because we are the ones who are accordingly, directly affected. We have the right to self-determination!

by Michela Martinazzi of Gainesville SDS

Tampa S.W.E.R. is here to say, “We are there with all who will participate in the April 4th National Day of Action against racism and minority oppression!” Keep fighting the good fight, and stay tuned for more from your very own Tampa S.W.E.R.

On April 7th, we will also be holding an action downtown in front of City Hall. More info coming soon!

Dennis Ross- Does your representative represent you?

Oh Dennis Ross, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

It is time to fight back against politicians who openly show their negativity towards the immigrant community, especially when 21% of their district is Hispanic—Dennis Ross, shame on you!

What does Dennis Ross think?

(Please describe your feelings on the following with a number 1-10 or with
the response Undecided (1=Strongly Disagree, 2-4=Disagree, 5=Neutral, 6-9 Agree, 10=Strongly Agree)

I support Arizona’s new immigration law SB 1070? (1-10) – 10

As a member of Congress I will use the full power of my office, including
impeachment if necessary, to ensure the Executive Branch starts to enforce our existing border and immigration laws? (1-10) – 8

Illegal Immigrants should be deported when detected in the interior of the
US? (1-10) – 10

I will oppose any form of Amnesty or path to citizenship for illegal
immigrants currently in the US because allowing them to become voters would destroy future immigration enforcement efforts? (1-10) – 10

I support Comprehensive Immigration ENFORCEMENT which will reverse illegal immigration in America? (1-10) – 10

I oppose Obama’s Comprehensive Immigration Reform Amnesty. (1-10) – 10

I oppose Congressman Luis Gutierrez’s Comprehensive Immigration Reform Amnesty bill H.R. 4321? (1-10) – 10
Link: http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-994657.html#994657

I would have opposed John McCain and Ted Kennedy’s Amnesty bill S. 1033 in 2005? (1-10) – 10
Link: http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-1085363.html#1085363

I oppose any non-emergency taxpayer benefits for illegal aliens, including
welfare, food stamps, licenses, and in-state tuition subsidies? (1-10) – 10

I believe that employers who intentionally hire illegal aliens should be
heavily fined. (1-10) – 10

As if that was not enough, check out Dennis Ross’ Pledge:

If elected or re-elected to the US Congress, I will oppose any form of Amnesty or path to citizenship for illegal aliens, including Comprehensive Immigration Reform which would turn millions of illegal immigrants into voters thus destroying future borders of America. I will use the full power of my office, including impeachment if necessary, to insure the Executive Branch secures America’s border immediately and begins to adequately enforce the existing immigration and border laws of the United States, which were enacted by Congress at the behest of America’s citizenry. I understand that the failure of the Executive Branch to secure our borders and enforce existing immigration laws is depriving all Americans of a Republican form of government and depriving our states of protection from invasion as mandated by the US Constitution. I intend to use the power of Congress to immediately remedy this problem that is costing many Americans their jobs, wages, taxpayer resources, property, security, and sometimes their very lives.

So help me God,

Dennis A. Ross

The information above was obtain from the Americans for Legal Immigration’s  website.

SELMA TO MONTGOMERY MARCH

Photo by FLIC

Pamela Gomez (left) President of USF-SWER, and Mayra Hidalgo Salazar (right) from Polk State College SWER in Alabama. Photo by Young American Dreamers

Alabama is known for it’s racist history! Last year, Alabama passed the worst anti-immigrant law in the country.

In 1965 during the Civil Rights Movement, 25,000 marchers peacefully marched from Selma to Montgomery led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to ask to end to injustice, oppression and the right to vote for Blacks and all citizens. Once again thousands of individuals marched the historic route from Selma to Montgomery to highlight our present civil and human rights struggles. Immigrants, labor unions, and civil rights groups from all around the country came to Alabama to join the March for Immigrant and Voting Rights. The march was led by Rev. Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King III, and Dolores Huerta and many more civil, immigrant, labor, and human rights leaders.

Mayra Hidalgo Salazar marching with Dolores Huerta

Photo by Young American Dreamers

Florida sent a delegation! A bus from Miami left Wednesday, March 7. Miami and Florida Immigrant Coalition was present to emphasize that Anti-Immigrant Laws Hurt Us All. Last year Florida was victorious in defeating our anti-immigrant bill as faith, farm worker, businesses, students, immigrant communities united to show the contributions of immigrants in our state and the respect and dignity we deserve !

Photo by Maria Asuncion Bilbao

“In Unity Power Lies”! indeed and it was really powerful, touching and beautiful to see our African American and Immigrants communities united to end our common struggles and mutually support each other!

Photo by Rosana Araujo

WRAP UP– Check this out!

“What surprises me, father, is that this is supposed to be the bible belt. This is supposed to be people (who) believe in christianity. What christ do they serve? What bible do they read? I read in the bible about Jesus talking about a good Samaritan, who stopped by the side of the road to help a man- […] he didn’t ask him where he came from. He didn’t ask him for his papers. He didn’t ask him for his green card. He saw him in trouble and he helped him and Jesus called him a good Samaritan. I march in the name of Jesus Christ. It’s time for the Christian right to be the right Christians.“ – Rev. Al Sharpton.

March for Fair Food with the CIW, March 10.

Group shot, SWER, SDS, UWD Tampa Bay.

Hundreds of supporters and allies marched with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers this Saturday, March 10, to break the 6-day fast. The procession began with a motivating speech from Robert Kennedy Jr. The presence of the Kennedy family was felt as Ethel Kennedy and daughter, Kerry Kennedy, marched among us.

After the 3-mile procession we were greeted by those workers, people of faith, students and allies who fasted– a welcome that brought many to tears.

Jose Jose also made an appearance, and shocked us be just sitting a couple of feet away from our group! Looking very sharp, he got on stage and promised to work closely with the coalition to help farm workers get the rights they deserve. Does this mean we’ll be seeing him again?

The ceremony to break the fast was beautifully done; highlighting unity and community in a way the CIW is known for. Children and people of faith brought the bread up to the stage and Ethel Kennedy herself gave out the pieces of bread. The quiet mood of reflection was soon broken with cheers, hugs and laughter.

Publix has yet to respond and continues to pretend we are invisible, but we are not. We left a mark in Lakeland and as we spread awareness in our own community we will continue to unmask Publix.

Thank you to all of those who participated in our rotating fast in solidarity.
Si se pudo!

SWER before 3-mile procession

Robert Kennedy Jr.

Amanda Sliby from Tampa Bay Fair Food

Sol Márquez from SDS/SWER

Juan Sebastian Soto-Avella, Polk State College Student Government President, representing SWER.

Jessica Jenses, USFSP LASA Vice President, and Gerson Gomez from SWER.

Fasters welcoming the marchers at the end of the 3-mile procession.

Oscar Otzoy (Oscarin!)

Jose Jose sharing his experience in Lakeland.

Holding the bread before the blessing.

Ethel Kennedy waiting to help break the fast.

People of faith blessing the bread.

Ethel Kennedy passing out bread to those who fasted for 6 days.

SWER members eating some bread after our own fast in solidarity.

Jacky Cruz, UWD Tampa Bay co-founder, offering her piece of bread to fasters.

Group shot, SWER, SDS, UWD Tampa Bay.